#12 - Lake Elmo Elementary Final Plat

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3 Tree Preservation. The subject property is heavily wooded with many densely planted qualifying significant trees requiring protection under the City’s ordinance. A significant amount of the trees on this parcel will need to be removed for the School District’s proposed improvements, with removals mostly concentrated on the east half of the site. At the November 6th, 2024, City Council Meeting the Council granted flexibility to the preservation requirements with two conditions. The school district must submit a contribution of $50,000 to the tree preservation fund and plant at least 106 trees which are excluded from tree size, irrigation, the landscape warranty requirements. Tree removals, in conformance with the approved mitigation plans, are expected to begin on site at the beginning of February 2025 with approval of an early grading agreement. Landscaping. The City’s Landscape Architect has reviewed the plans for conformance with the City’s ordinance and commented on necessary plan revisions in their December 13th, 2024, memo. The Landscape Architect noted that, with the Council’s flexibility, planting requirements have been met. Revisions are required to the landscape plan to address irrigation requirements and a tree schedule. A condition of approval is added requiring conformance to the City Landscape Architect’s Memo. Buffering and Screening. City Code Section 105.12.970 (f)(2) requires a 150-foot buffer from abutting residential properties. While the school building and nearly all site improvements meet the building setback requirement, a driveway access for the busses will be located within 38’ of the northern property line. The subject property received a variance through Resolution 2024-114 to the 150-foot buffer for the driveway access on November 6th, 2024. Building Design. Elevations submitted with the site plans indicate a new school building which is designed with primary materials including brick, glass, and architecturally treated metal. In its design, the building has facades which vary in design with contrasting building materials and colors and creates visual interest. The building materials and façade elevations proposed are consistent with the City code and design standards manual for such structures and are therefore found acceptable. Parking. City code requires three spaces per classroom. There are 53 rooms that are classrooms or an equivalent learning space. Therefore, a minimum of 159 parking spaces are required. There are a total of 211 parking spaces supplied in in the southern parking area, and a total of 13 adjacent to the bus parking to create a total on site of 224 spaces. This site meets the parking minimum established by code. Traffic and Access. This project is served by two county roads, Lake Elmo Avenue North and 10th Street North. A traffic study was required and supplied by the Applicant. The Final plans have been reviewed by the City Engineer and Washington County for issues related to traffic and access. Washington County will ultimately require an access permit for the use and is the responsible jurisdiction for county roads. Washington County has provided a letter dated January 3, 2025, approving the two access points with the traffic improvements identified on the preliminary plat plans dated November 22, 2024. Due to the new Lake Elmo Elementary at this location, the County has accelerated plans for infrastructure improvements at 10th St. N and Lake Elmo Avenue. The City Council conditionally approved the Preliminary Plat upon the School District completing the following: • The Plat shall dedicate right of way as needed for future county intersection improvements. • The School District shall design the stormwater ponds to accommodate the needs for stormwater management at the new intersection of CSAH 10 & 17.